Abstract

Background: The Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Budo-Egba, in Kwara State, Nigeria, was established in 2021 as the ninth tertiary mental health facility in the country and the first in the North-Central geopolitical zone to improve mental health care accessibility. To address stigma associated with standalone psychiatric hospitals, it incorporated the management of minor physical illnesses into its service. This study assessed the impact of the new hospital on the outcomes of mental health of the people in its catchment area and evaluated the effect of gender on these variables.
Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the electronic medical records of 301 patients diagnosed with psychiatric disorders at the facility from August 2022 to July 2024. It examined socio-demographic characteristics, presentation modes, diagnoses, and gender influences on these variables.
Result: The findings showed a demographic skew towards young adults, with 31.2% aged 21–31 years. Males constituted 58.8% of the population. Most patients were married (51.8%) and resided in Kwara State (83.1%), reflecting the hospital's local impact. Schizophrenia was the predominant diagnosis (49.2%), followed by substance use disorders (14.3%). The majority (81.7%) of the respondents presented through the outpatient clinics, and 65.1% of them were asymptomatic at follow-up visits, highlighting the hospital’s effectiveness. Gender differences were evident in age, marital, employment, and education statuses.
Conclusion: The hospital's rural location enhanced local accessibility but posed challenges in expanding services to the wider North-Central region. This study emphasizes the need for efforts to reduce stigma, improve retention, and expand outreach through community psychiatric practices to serve underserved areas effectively.
Keywords: Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, mental health care, psychiatric disorders, Nigeria.

Key words: Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Mental Health Care, Psychiatric Disorders, Nigeria.